Financial Wisdom By Kalidas

Ref: 10-003 of 24 Jan, 2010            PDF Download from ScribD or Download Pool Sidebar>>Articles

Dear Readers,

The correction has started precisely on the date we mentioned – 21^st January, 2010. We predicted it more than a month ago.  Now, the situation has taken turn for the worse.  The trigger was provided by President Obama’s proposed clamp down on the banks proposing far reaching regulatory actions to rein in the banks in terms of their size and activities. A separate article will appear within a few days titled – OBAMA WAR with INTERNAL TERRORISTS

Dow has lost over 5% in 3 days. S&P has dropped to 1093, slightly above critical level of 1083. I do not care for technical indicators. My forte is fundamentals. The core fundamentals are worsening.

• Bernanke’s extension as Fed chief, once considered almost a done deal, is now in serious doubt.  If he is reconfirmed, there may be a short reprieve for the market.
• The future of Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner is also in doubt.  The AIG dossier is becoming murky. The testimony of Paulson with Geithner in relation to AIG affairs is due on Wednesday, 27^th January, 2010.  It means that the Senators know something ignominious more than the investors are aware of.
• There are indications that the Senators have finally realized the extent of damage done by Henry Paulson of Goldman Sachs and Ben Bernanke from Fed.
  • President Obama’s pathani demand  “We want our money back” alludes that the $306 billions non fund based guarantee given for Citigroup’s worthless debt at behest of  Paulson – Bernanke combine are maturing into real fund based liabilities.
  • Read with massive profit of Goldman Sachs, and Citigroup’s insistence to cancel out the “loss sharing agreement with the Fed/Treasury”, the Senators and the President Obama appear to have realized the “foul play” and “Criminal conspiracy” against the State. Many frauds may come to light. It could have massive effect on Wall Street. Even Warren Buffet could become controversial. His days are beginning to have “U” turn for long.
• Two days – Saturday and Sunday, have passed since the President Obama disclosed his plan to rein in the banks, their size and their disapproved activities. The era of $25 billions of profit for the bank is gone for ever.
  • The earnings of almost all banks will be downgraded by the Analysts up to 30% to 80% that could collapse the prices of major money center banks. The entire banking structure globally will be re-assessed on severe downside. Bank of America, JP Morgan Chase, and Wells Fargo could face the burn of third degree.
  • There will be further lending squeeze from these banks raising real market interest rates.
  • If these banks can not make double digit billions of dollars of profit for next 5 years, , they will never be able to recover the past losses.  Nor will they be able to raise new capital due to poor earning prospects.  Fed/Treasury window will be shut for good.
  • In short, some major banks could become officially insolvent.
  • Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley may surrender banking license to avoid above restrictions.
  • The global banking giants operating in US such as Barclays, Deutsche Bank, UBS and Credit Suisse may have to realign their business. UK and Europe too could adopt similar measures with similar effects. UK and Europe always play monkey game.
• SEC is preparing for some tough times ahead. Bloomberg reports on 23/Jan that “Concern that short-sellers accelerate stock declines may prompt the Securities and Exchange Commission to adopt a rule next month aimed at curbing bearish bets when equities are plunging.”  It adds that “The regulation would require the trades be executed above the best existing bid in the market when shares fall 10 percent in a day,” In short, alarm is on.

Massive collapse is about to set in from Monday onwards.  It is scary.  It was inevitable; we were merely waiting for the trigger. President Obama provided it. He is not to blame for what he proposes. It is the way he has presented them and timing thereof. He is under extreme pressure to perform that is telling on him for his expediency.

• The markets may lose anywhere from 5% to 15% in short time (< 1 month), and 15% to 50% in medium term (< 4 months) if the short term correction takes place.
• Margin calls will exacerbate the downside.
• Mutual Fund redemptions could cause massive slides.
• Money could become scarce overnight. Overnight Call rates could zoom and stay there for unduly long time forcing short term rates to rise. My previous article “Maturity Mismatch’ may become reality as projected.
• Monday could be the beginning of Tsunami wave, category 7. So many things could happen swiftly in short time.
• Massive losses to investors will become a hard reality.  What they lose this time may not be recoverable in next 3 to 7 years.
• The only reprieve will come when the Bernanke is allowed to continue his job. While he has lost all credibility and should not be confirmed, it is in the interest of the market that he continues for a while (temporary extension) until his successor is chosen. If he loses the job, one may be waiting for him at Goldman Sachs.

This time, protecting capital is more important than the earnings. If you have capital left, there would be earnings one day.  It is not necessary to make money in every trade every day. It is enough if you made good money some time rather than a little money every time. We therefore suggest the following from Monday onwards.

There could be huge meltdown. All markets may go down Minimum 3 to 7 days continuously in varying degree.

US Market:

1. Dow may lose another 14% (1400 to 1500 points) and then rest before going down again.
2. If S&P goes below 1083, it will be bad sign for technical analysts. In my view that it will be breached.
3. NASDAQ may outperform DOW.
4. Buy Put options on S&P 100 known as OEX-100 and Nikkei 225. These are very volatile.
5. Do not trade S&P 500, it is less liquid and does not move fast.
6. SELL short or Buy puts on ADRs of Wipro (trading at 43% premium) and ICICI Bank (-3%) and HDFC Bank (+15% premium). The heavy premium is usually lost in meltdown. Further, one can keep short position in US market on any equity or ADRs for about 12 months by paying suitable margin. Check with your US broker first.
7. Think of accumulating undervalued stocks like MTNL with Zero debt where discount will rise due to meltdown making it attractive. Stronger rupee tend to add more value in $ terms.
8. Indian ADRs could develop more discount than shown today, making them more attractive.  Some counters are better bought as ADRs than underlying equities in India. If you have choice between domestic share and ADR, prefer ADR of liquid counters. (large cap stocks)
9. A strong buy opportunity may emerge in FCCB (Foreign Currency Convertible Bonds) of Indian companies that may be hammered in meltdown. Their yields may rise, premium contracts or even trade at discount. They being denominated in $, stronger rupee will give better return than underlying shares in India. Watch out for them. Go only for well known battered counters in info tech, pharmaceuticals and telecom sector. This is for only wealthy investors having $ 1 Million or more investment budget. Not suitable for local investors due to larger size lot involved

10.  There could be political and social upheavals. Since hundreds of billions of dollars are at stake, and jobs being lost with increasing intensity, violent political removal at high level at many places is likely. This time for a change, the war will be within United States. Law may take a back seat.

Indian Markets:

Indian growth story could be dented but will remain intact than China. India is still safest place to invest. With US, Europe, UK, Japan and even China taking massive blow, India, Indian economy and even Indian Rupee (if made convertible) could become real alternative to US dollar.

Nevertheless, holed in the habit of taking cue from the Dow and Asian markets, SENSEX may tumble by 14% in a few days (2400 points). Huge margin calls from Wednesday onward could push it down further by another 1000 points. The market may reach 13,400 first, rebound for 800 pts in dead cat bounce rally, followed by sharp drop down further by 2000 points. In short, the market may lose 4600 points within one month. Even if the market recovers during intraday, it may close down near the close. Not many would want to keep their position open overnight.

However, there is a caveat. Indian budget due in February could provide relief or act as mild buffer against further sharp fall. It all depends how Government of India responds. The interest rates may be lowered, not raised to contain inflation, and Income Taxes could be lowered for Corporate and Individuals that may provide fillip to the Indian markets. This is however conjectural. Rely more on facts than rumors or opinion. Financial expediency will prevail over political one.

1. Stock financing banks like ICICI, HDFC, Axis Bank, SBI could tumble more due to proposed changes in banking law in United States.  They will not be able to carry out their investment banking activities as before. They could be the index draggers. Do not touch them for another 1 month even with remote pole. Swap them into neutral stocks like IDBI Bank or IFCI who are domestic oriented.
2. Stay on short side.
   1. If you do not want to sell down your portfolio, insure it by buying Out of Money Put option of NIFTY for February or March, if available.  Do not speculate, use it as hedge. The markets could have wild swings that could boost or bust the speculators.
   2. SELL 50% of remaining stocks held. You may have already sold 70% by now from the peak, if you have followed this column. What you may have is remaining 20% exposure.
   3. Possible exceptions are recovery play like Spice Jet. Ispat Industries and Dish TV who have returned to profits already or will return in one quarter.
   4. Finish your selling through out the day, taking advantage of intraday recovery. Even if the Asian markets recover during the day, continue selling. You may sell some Spice jet too if you are sitting on good profit, with a view to buying back later.
   5. Stocks like ITC and Hindustan Lever may perform better than others.
   6. SELL or reduce Mutual Funds (except LIC linked) by 70% and retain cash.
3. Focus on buying only after 3 days of fall only the following stocks. (1) Spice jet (<56)  (2) Ispat Industries (<23), (3) Dish TV (<41) , (4) Petronet (<71), and (5) Evinex (<3.65), (6) IOC (<270), (7)IFCI (<43), (8) UCOBank (<48), (9) LIC Housing Finance
   1. Avoid Oils, Metals, Ores, Infrastructures and all other high PE stocks. Also avoid story stocks like PSU on privatization list.
   2. Avoid oil producers; prefer State Owned Refineries like IOC, HPCL, BPCL, MRPL etc. Avoid private refiners like Essar Oil and Reliance.
4. Buy more of Gold, Gold ETF and Silver.
   1. Some may say that if Gold falls below $1065, there could be a meltdown. Do not buy those stories.  Gold rise most in uncertainty.
   2. Silver is generally stronger than Gold nowadays. Use major fall in their prices as strong buy opportunity.
   3. No targets are given because you will be in hit and run market for several days.
5. Please note that this article is meant for regular delivery based investors. Some hedging operations are mentioned to protect their portfolio.
6. Short term investors active in F&O segment may conduct their activities on their own impulse. This article is not meant for them.
7. When the markets correct as above, it will provide strong platform to build Long Term Portfolio of any amount as suitable to investors. Investments made in steep correction time will provide better return than properties.
8. Defer buying property for investment purpose until March 2010.
9. If you are keen on investing into property for investment purpose, not for self use, better look out for commercial properties from March/April. Read my all articles on “How to invest series….” again.

10.  Buy equities only when you strongly feel like selling gold or silver. At that time, one may buy equity or properties. Prefer “Ready to Possess” properties than properties under constructions from unknown developers who might close their shops suddenly and run away. This time around, avoid farm properties, and prefer commercial or residential properties in major metro cities or towns having population over 30 lakhs (3 Millions; +/- 20%)

Will the markets go the way as projected? I will be happy if I am proved wrong. The trouble is that I am often proved right than wrong. But do not take me for granted. Try to be rational and make your own calculated guess and decision.  There is not going to be time for analysis.

A question may arise, whether this crisis was solvable?  The answer is yes. For every problem there are multiple solutions. My father taught me once “For every problem, there are 10 solutions – just go out and find it”.  I therefore wrote the book “SUB PRIME RESOLVED” which provided comprehensive solutions. If US-A does not go the way I have suggested, the nation is set for gloom, doom and total collapse. It may not exist in present political form.

I also made several attempts to offer solutions to the US Administration as under. However, there was no response. No regrets. I did my job and would let them do theirs.

First, when I offered solutions to President Bush in August 2008 before crisis began.  However, he or his stooges in White House ignored.  My letter to President Bush is already in the repository and read by the readers. The real trouble started precisely three weeks later in September 2008.

Second, I offered similar solutions to Senator Obama while he was campaigning for Presidency.  There was no response. But I can understand that.

Third, when my book “SUB PRIME RESOLVED” was published in June 2009. I wrote to President Obama, the First Lady Michelle Obama and Vice President Joe Biden. No response either.

Fourth, when I wrote similar letter to ex-President Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter;  they too did not care to respond.

Fifth, when I sent my book “SUB PRIME RESOLVED” to Sen. McCain, and Bobby Jindal, Governor of Louisiana and Chris Dodd, Chairman of Senate Banking Committee.  However I did not receive any reply or courtesy acknowledgement.

Sixth, when I wrote a letter to the President Obama very recently with similar letter copied to Vice President Joe Biden, Senator Christopher Dodd, Chairman of Senate Banking Committee, and Timothy Geithner, the incumbent Treasury Secretary. Again there was no reply or acknowledgement.

I threw a challenge to President Obama that if my solutions could not extract the United States from the severest financial crisis and make it healthy again within 9 months, I repeat 9 months, he can sign “Death Warrant” against me with my and my family’s full written consent.

Seventh, when I wrote to the Chair of FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation). Again there was no reply or acknowledgement.

I wonder why we send our children to USA for higher education such as MBA when those expensive institutions do not even teach basics of Courtesy, Management and Administration to upcoming business and political leaders in United States itself. They keep their minds closed and ask us to keep ours open.

The Americans are suffering from “Superiority Complex”.  The past successes have gone to their head. They appear to feel that only they know everything, forgetting that the knowledge knows no bounds. It can spread anywhere. We are in internet age, America’s  own invention.

The White House may be thinking that this Kalidas, Anil Selarka or whoever he is, must be a crazy, egoistic, pseudo bastard.  When our Nobel Laureate economists, financial gurus and management experts in United States are not able to think of one solution, how on earth this Kalidas could have multiple solutions from Hong Kong 5000 miles away? Throw him into the dustbin for good.

There is one way Americans can come out of troubles learning from Americans only if they prefer.  Hand over the country to IBM executives. They know how to think, conceive, design, plan, implement, execute and bring positive result. They think out of the blue box. It was IBM who invented “Personal Computer”. Many years ago, the company was in shamble spending billions of dollars in advertisements.

However, they read the writing on the wall in time and did not take long to “dump” it by shifting to services and software solutions. There used to be IBM logo everywhere in the past.  The striped blue logo is rarely seen anywhere now; and yet, they are everywhere like God.  Look at them today – they are fast, nimble, profitable and as efficient as any coveted American enterprise ought to be.

President Obama has to take three decisions.

1. Dump GDP theory. (the way IBM dumped and got out of PC business)
2. Dump Goldman Sachs and quarantine every Goldman emission in Fed and Treasury (and everything should be fine in US and globally)
3. Pump Gold. (bringing back monetary stability by re-standardizing dollar)

Kalidas (Anil Selarka) Ref: 10-003 of 24 January, 2010 (Sunday)
Hong Kong

Personal Blog:     http://anilselarka.com
Book Web       :     http://www.subprimeresolved.com

Disclaimer:
Readers, before you proceed:
This article is released on Sunday so that you have enough time to deliberate on information available from various sources. This is for your informational purpose only. Consult your professional broker, banker or investment adviser before acting or taking any decision. No liability of any kind attaches  to the author.



Ref: 0909-032A of 2009.09.01

Many centuries ago, Indians and Egyptians were regarded as great mathematicians. They invented the calendars of 360 days and measured the speed, rotation, angles of various planets around the earth. The Indians, known as Hindu, had invented one of the greatest theories of the mankind.

It was ZERO. Hindu believed that the entire universe was created out of Zero. In Hindu parlance, it was known in Hindi as “ Shunya me se Shrushthi” . Modern science created non verifiable dictum – Big Bang theory – for which there were neither understanding nor enough scientific evidence.

The whole world revolves around numbers 1 to 0 or 1 to 9 and then Zero. Another series begins after each “Zero”.  Everything around us moves in rhythmic motion in perfect unison. There are also 9 planets – 7 major and 2 minors – 7 days a week, 7 basic colors, 7 seas, 7 wonders, 7 musical nodes, 7 mountains etc. All numbers are in perfect harmony over years, centuries and ages. This is the perfect Arithmetic, the most powerful branch of mathematics.

In Investment world a similar principle was invented – known as Zero Coupon Bonds.  It was Zero that created enormous wealth for brilliant investors, and yet very few consciously knew about it.

WHAT IS ZERO COUPON BONDS?

Understand the word “Coupon” first, often abbreviated as CPN. The coupon is the rate of interest. When a bank says that it pays 2% for Savings, 3% for Short Deposits, 5% for medium term deposits and 8% for Long Term deposit, the % rate is known as Coupon. If there are no coupons, then it is known as Zero Coupon.

In normal bonds or deposits, the interest is paid regularly at monthly, quarterly, half yearly or annual interval. So, if you deposit 100 with 6% CPN at annual rest (that means, interest on interest is compounded at the end of  every year). At the end of one year, you get #100 as principal and #6 as interest, making a tally of #106.

In Zero Coupon, the yield is built in the principal itself, that is, the interest is not paid separately, but the principal value is discounted to the extent of interest rate built it. Thus, if 10% interest rate is built in, the #100 bond is discounted to say about #91, so that one gets #100 on maturity in return on investment of #91 in one year. Most of the treasury bonds of government are issued on this basis. They are treasury zeros. The higher or lower than #100 price determines the yield (interest rate per year)with reference to the period of issue.

If the bond period is 10 years carrying a built in coupon of 10% but paid only on maturity, the #100 bonds is issued at  about #38.55 as per the following table:

This is known as Zero Coupon bond for 10 years with Yield of 10% (Yield = built in interest rate). In this case, the maturity value is 100 but it is discounted to 38.55 at the time of issue. The issuer undertakes to make the payment of #100 on maturity at the end of 10 years for each lot of #38.55

CASH CERTIFICATES

In some Public Sector Unit  (PSU) banks in India, they issue deposit known as “Cash Certificates” where the deposit is issued for #100 face value @ #38.55. The difference between “Cash Certificate” and “Zero Coupon Bonds” is that former does not trade on the stock exchange. But the latter does trade on stock exchange.  If interest rates go lower, the value of bond goes higher, and vice versa. The bank deposits do not move with interest rates.  If the bond maturity period is longer, then the interest rate will have multiplier effect. In interest bearing bond, the rise could be just 5% to10% but in Zero coupon it will be 30% to 40%.  See the following table of 25 year bond Zero Coupon Bonds issued by IDBI in 1992 for 25 years with built in interest rates of 15.6% with initial value #2700 or multiple thereof.

I take #27,000 as initial value and #1 million of maturity value after 25 years. That is, your #27,000 becomes #1 Millions after 25 years, or 37 times nearly. In other words, you make 3600% return in 25 years or 140% every year on simple interest basis. See the following table:

Table for Discounted Value: #27,000; Maturity Value also known as Face Value = #1 Million; Investment period #25 years, Rate locked in 15.544% presumed to be Annual Rest (Interest compounded every year) and 365 days = 1 year.

Note the following:

1. The Face Value of the Bond will be #10 Lakhs or 1 Million (also known as maturity value)
2. Deep Discounted value (original investment value) = #27,000
3. Interest locked in 15.544% for 25 years.
4. At the end of 10 years, IDBI refunded #120,000 (Normal value was # 114,500 as per table above). That is they paid early redemption premium of 5,500 or about 5%
   1. That is, if the investor invested #27,000, he got back 120,000 after 10 years on first call date. Call Date is the option reserved by the issuer (IDBI in this case) under which it may redeem the bond (cancel the bond before maturity) at certain value + 5% redemption premium. (it is decided at the time of issue by the issuer)
   2. Although the bond was quoted for 25 years, the investor may sell it at any time in the market.
   3. When the bonds are sold, the interest rate is worked out until the date of settlement. For instance, if the bonds are sold after 5 ½ years, the market price will reflect the enhanced return, depending on the demand and supply situation.
5. Presuming that the bonds were not recalled (say, it did not have recall clause) the holder may
   1. sell it unit by unit as under: after 15 years, sell one – realize 235,801 (or more if rates go down);
   2. sell second unit after say, 20 years (realize 484,593) and
   3. sell 3^rd after 23 years (realize #749,049), presuming that he was holding 3 separate units of 27,000 each investment value having #10 Lakhs (1 million) face value.
   4. In other words, he will have increasing cash flow every 5 years, after initial 15 years.
6. Above is hypothetical example with real numbers (as issued by IDBI – the numbers may not exactly match due to minor details)
7. RECALL or EARLY REDEMPTION OPTION: Some issuer does write early redemption rights in case the rates turn in their favor later. If there were no recall clause, the issuer is obligated to pay full face value on maturity.
   1. it happened to Sardar Sarovar (Gujarat, India) Deep Discount Bonds issued in 1997 for 15 years where the company’s attempt to retire the bonds early by force were thrown out of window by Gujarat High Court). The bonds carried built in interest of 19% whereas market rates dropped to less than 6% at one time causing enormous loss to the issuer.

HOW INTEREST RATES AFFECT BOND PRICES?

Bank deposits (except CD or Certificate of Deposits in USA) do not rise or fall in value with fall or rise in interest rates. The interest rate risk is assumed by the deposit issuing bank. In treasury or commercial bond, the interest rate risk is assumed by the investor (CPN interest rate is the contracted rate of the issuer)

For instance, a company issued bonds for 5 years with 8% CPN. That is, the company will pay interest rate @ 8% for a period of 5 years. Supposing, at the end of first year, the market interest rates for remaining 4 years dropped to 6%.  The prices of 8% CPN Bonds will rise in value to the extent of yield differential. For holder of 8% CPN Bonds, the yield is 8% .

However, market yield being 6%, the bond price will rise by 8/6×100 = 133.33, so that a person investing in that bond will get a yield of 6% (8/133%).

In other words, the bond prices will be so adjusted that its yield reflects closely the market yield.

The longer the period, higher the bond prices in early years in falling interest rate regime. Similarly, the lower bond prices in early years will reflect the higher interest rate regime. In other words, the bond prices have “inverse relationship” with the Market Interest Rates (MIR). If the  MIR goes higher Bond prices go lower; if MIR goes lower, the bond prices get higher.

This is where the ZERO CPN BONDS with longer maturity give the best return. In Zeros, the initial capital base being low, the % return becomes very high. Zeros lock in interest rate for long time at minimum value.

This is why Zeroes are best bought when the rates are near high and have tendency to go down later.  If one is a foreign investor, he also locks in currency at favorable rates when the rates are highest.  Contrary to popular belief that higher rates make a currency stronger, only the reverse is true. Interest rates are like a “support stick” for the currency. If the currency can not stand on its own, it needs higher interest rates to support its value. If the currency is strong, the rates move down.

For example,

• When Indian currency became very weak due to FOREX crisis, the rates shot up to 15% to 19% on deposits.
  • This is when IDBI, ICICI, SIDBI and LT came out with Zero coupon bonds showing the people moon, hey give me #2,700, we give you back #1 Lakh (#100,000) after 25 years.
• When the currency strengthened to 39/$ during BJP rule, the market interest rates (MIR) dropped to 3% to 6% on deposits and housing loans prospered creating biggest rally in real estate market.
• When the RBI manipulated the exchange rates by constantly intervening in the market via Sterilization measures, the rates shot up with the result that Real Estate prices crashed.
• This is why stronger local currency is in the best interest of the nation. This is the reason why United States always wanted strong US$ so that its interest rates could be kept low and import cost reduced. The people world over imitates US in every respect, but never follows its exchange rate policy.
• Now, that US is running into severe economic problems, with UK and EU, a time is going to come when the people will start demanding higher interest rates to compensate them hold weaker currency.
  • When these governments are not able to raise money by normal interest bearing bonds, they will start issuing Zero CPN Bonds.
  • Wait until when that happens, when the rates get into high double digits similar to what India faced in 1992.
  • That will be the time to invest in USD/GBP/Euro when those currencies are weak and the interest rates are high.

HOW DID I MAKE MOST MONEY via ZERO COUPON BONDS?

I have already explained how I made most money in IDBI/SIDBI/Sardar Sarovar Deep Discount Bonds. I learnt Zeroes early state (first when my father taught me investment through NSC or National Savings Certificates issued by Government of India).

I made more money in Zeros when during my search on the net. I used Bloomberg dedicated terminal when I was the stockbroker. It was 100 times more powerful than what you see on internet.

I found the South African Rand Zero Coupon Bonds. I had set the following agenda (this applies to all overseas citizens outside their country of citizenship – such as NRI or Expatriate).

1. Find the currency which is the weakest over the last 10 years
2. Find the country where the interest rates are  also higher with weak currency
3. Find the country whose strength of currency depends on its export products that are also at the weakest point.

This is when I found the South African Rand, Canadian dollar, Australian dollar, Russian Ruble, Brazil Real. I found the South African Rand the most attractive due to following reasons:

1. United States and other Western countries were deliberately suppressing Rand to control the gold, silver, palladium, and other commodity prices. Some major banks started issuing Zero Coupon Bonds in SA RAND as hedging operation.
2. SA RAND was depressed to 12.81 per $ versus 2 per $ during apartheid days.
3. Interest rates were above 10%
4. SA MAIN EXPORT products such as gold, silver, palladium, coal, iron ore etc were near 20 years low.
5. I guessed that if the commodity prices go higher, the SA RAND (symbol ZAR) will go higher, rates will fall, so the Zeros will give me the best return. I had learnt this from IDBI DDB earlier.
6. Most of the issuers were World Bank, Swedish export import bank, Deutsche bank, and some South African entities like DBSA (Development Bank of  South Africa) and ESKOM (largest electric utility
7. I took the view that other international issuers were gamblers and issued ZAR Zeros to short the currency. Since only South African government could issue ZAR, I preferred issues of SA entities like DBSA and ESKOM, although they were rates A or A+ compared to AAA of other banks. It was my view that the only way for Aaa to go was only down, not up, whereas A or A+ could become AA or AAA, that is up (and down also)
8. I bought DBSA at 2.79 to 6 level, and ESKOM from 1.90 to 5 level, paying for Rand from 11.30 to 12.31 per $.
   1. Today, after about 10 years, my bonds are at 17 and 12 level (they rose to 21 and 16 at one time) and currency improved to 7.8 today (it rose to 5.81 at one time).
   2. Thus, my return is almost 800% in my local currency in 10 years or 80% per year, fully guaranteed by Government of South Africa.
   3. SA is rated A+ whereas India’s rating is still BBB

For full details of SA RAND Bonds, please  click  SOUTH AFRICAN RAND ZERO CPN BONDS .  I used to buy these Zeros through RBC Dominion Securities (investment branch of Royal Bank of Canada), Morgan Stanley, HSBC, Rabo Bank, Deutsche Bank, Barclays and Merrill Lynch.  RBC was the best. If you have account with them, ask them to send you full list of zeros with bid/offer prices and full details/table.

Beware of banks like HSBC who give you the most inferior exchange rates. Once I lost about 8% in exchange rate alone. It is a lousy bank – it converts your USD into HKD and then converts HKD t o RAND, causing enormous loss to the customer or investor. 60% of HSBC profit comes from such cheating, because there are millions of TT and other exchange related transactions every day – just imagine, when they take the spread of 0.25% in both currencies, they make clean 0.5% per transaction when they do not pay even 1% interest per year. There is no one in Hong Kong to listen to such complaints.

Better it is one opens an account with SAXO BANK or still better INTERACTIVE BROKER (you see their Ad on Bloomberg channel always). IAB will let you buy anything anywhere in the world at minimum cost and giving you the best exchange rates, and lowest account maintenance charges.

HOW ZERO CPN HELPS PLAN EVERYTHING IN YOUR LIFE, Personal or Business

This article is long. So it is written in two parts. You will find second part (part 6 of the New Series) under REJOINDER below within 3 days before I head off for India tour. This will be most useful part of Zero CPN bonds how it helps you most.

from 4/9 to 16/9 during which I will not be posting anything NOR will reply to any of reader’s queries (because of lack of internet access over there).

With Warm regards

Kalidas (Anil Selarka) – click for Scribd PDF Download
Hong Kong, 1^st September, 2009

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Personal Blog :  http://anilselrka.com
Bookweb: http://subprimeresolved.com